The loud vibration sounds of my alarm wakes me from my sleep, the vibrations stem from under my pillow making it very hard to ignore. As I open my eyes the warmth of the sun beaming through my blinds greet me, I grab my phone to switch off the alarm and the bright light awakens me even more. I step out of bed to open a window and the fresh morning breeze hits me and travels through my bedroom. I stretch my body just before I make my bed and feel the instant release of my tense muscles. After I make my bed I walk to the bathroom feeling like a zombie to get started with my hygiene routine, while I run myself a bath, I brush my teeth and stare at the bath water as it flows out of the tap and warms up the bathroom with its warm steam, now I am done brushing my teeth and my water is ready. I soak myself in a warm bubble bath and feel the warmth of the hot water run through my whole body, I give myself time to relax and think about my plans for the day.

I carefully pick out an outfit for school and the smell of the fabric conditioner on my clothes makes me feel clean and fresh, after I get dressed I make my way to the kitchen, wearing nothing but socks just so I can feel the coolness of the tiles in the morning. I make myself a hot cup of cappuccino, the strong but sweet aroma is so inviting I cannot help but to try and drink it while it is hot, while I wait for it to cool down I make myself my favourite breakfast, pancakes, the fluffiness and warmth of the pancakes feels like my day is going to be just perfect. I finish having breakfast while my little sister gets ready for school and my parents get ready for work, the sound of laughter and good mornings fill the room as we are all happy to see each other for another day. I make my way back to my room to pack my laptop and books for a busy day ahead, a day filled with classes and meetings with peer mentors.

My dad takes the car out of the garage and prepares to take me to school on his way to work, when I get into the car the cold leather seats cause a shiver down my spine and the sound of the morning news on the radio fills my ear with the latest in our country and around the world. The drive to school is quiet because I don't normally speak in the morning, the amount of cars on the road all rushing to get to work and school is all I see. I get to campus and I am greeted by other students who woke up as early as I did to make it on time to class, some look like they are already in a rush, others are listening to music with their earphones wanting no distractions and some have formed groups with their friends discussing the latest gossip or maybe school work.

As my day proceeds and I walk to one class to the next my ears are filled with the calming bird sounds, I hear birds chirping and students conversing in a distance. When I finally catch a break in between classes I go bask in the sun and feel it kiss my face with warmth, I feel a bit hungry so I make my way to the student centre, when I walk in I see fellow students having lunch and conversing with their friends, I walk into the cafeteria and I am welcomed by the smell of freshly cooked food and baked goods, I stand in line and wait my turn while I have my earphones in for some music. I finally get my food and indulge in one of my favourite meals on campus, chips and Russian, the taste feels like something I have never had before, I open my can of coke and hear the sound of the sizzle, I take a sip and feel refreshed, while I am eating and waiting for my next class to start, I watch some Netflix on my laptop just to pass time.

I am finally at the end of the day, waiting for my dads phone call telling me that he is waiting for me at the gate, I make my way to the gate hastily as I cannot wait to get home and rest. I arrive home and the first thing I do is get into my comfortable clothes, the relief of taking off clothes I have been wearing all day feels like a reward. I take a nap before I do anything and when I wake up I feel revitalised, I go to my study desk, get myself some snacks and revise my school work while listening to music. My mom gets home and starts cooking dinner, the smell of home fills the kitchen and travels through the house making me eager to ask when she'll be done. Dinner is ready and my family and I sit around the table sharing the events that occurred in each of our days. After dinner, my sister and I wash the dishes, the feeling of my hands soaked in hot water makes me crave for another hot bath to end my day and go to bed.

After reading  Wainana's satirical "How to Write About Africa," Miner's anthropological parody in "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema, and watching the TED Talks  by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in order to consider my presumptions,  I now have a better understanding of how language and narrative shape perceptions and reinforce stereotypes. Wainana's writing carefully brings to light the delusions about Africa that are present in Western narratives. It aims its focus to the obscurity of the diversity and complexity of the continent to satisfy a similar and abnormal viewpoint. Miner's use of anthropological language to portray American customs in a strange way highlights how academic debate may destroy and 'other' its subjects.

Adichie's TED Talk, "The danger of a single story" showed me how easy it is to believe a story that has been told repeatedly and how that can easily mould my perception. She says isolated incidents give rise to stereotypes. These stories shifts us to have a "us versus them" mentality, ignoring the importance of unique identities and experiences.

While analysing these works, I noticed how assumptions are moulded and influenced by half told stories . I acknowledge that I have categorised people because of simple stories or narratives about them. For instance how the media portrays poverty instead of looking into how poverty came about and why it exists and how the people who are affected by this are still able to survive by making ends meet.

As I mature, I become aware of the importance of networking and how it is and has been a part of my day to day life for a long time. These networks build social awareness of ones surroundings and tends to be with people who play different roles in my professional and personal life. Networking tends to be something I do without even noticing, it is something one does on a daily basis with fellow students, lecturers at school and outside of school, with family members and friends. When I interact with family members and friends who have been in my life through the good and the bad, we share the network of guidance, love, encouragement and the molding of my beliefs and values. These specific interactions are more personal as they are rooted by emotional bonds, promoting belonging and a sense of security that sets the foundation of my identity. 

Besides my family my network also includes my friends who add joy into my life. These networks are grounded by similar interest, same age group and experiences. No matter what the conversation may be, the activity we might be engaging in at that moment or just sitting in each others company, it is always lively, filled with laughter, joy and understanding one another. Through these interactions and networking I find a peace of mind in times of distress and I feel a sense of belonging knowing that I am surrounded by people that get me and are always there for me.

In terms of my networking in a more professional setting such as on campus, where I interact with my lecturers and fellow students, I view them as a circle that is instilled to boost my growth and shape me into the person I will be after graduating, a helping hand. Exchanging information with my lecturers during classes while they also share their knowledge, doing group work with my fellow classmates, learning from every individual in one classroom, stimulating growth and development. Within these networks I gain expertise and experiences and learn how different individuals have different perspectives on what we might be discussing or on life in general and that shapes my mindset to also broaden my perspective.

In conclusion, I have to come to realise the importance of these networks in my growth in a professional setting but also in the outside world therefore I am grateful for the daily experiences and lessons that will continue shaping and enhancing my growth as an individual.